Propane fracs run at New Brunswick gas wells

HOUSTON, Sept. 10 -- Corridor Resources Inc., Halifax, NS, reported successful initial gas rates following the first liquid propane fracs in McCully field in New Brunswick and is identifying nearby locations for potential drilling in 2010.

Propane fracs at the McCully L-38 and P-47 wells in the northeastern part of the field replaced the water and methanol fracs used in previous completions.

Corridor attributed the positive results partly to reservoir characteristics and partly to the successful application of propane as the frac fluid.

Four fracs were separately propagated in the P-47 well, including two in the “E” sand and two in the “G” sand. The four zones were then commingled and flow tested. At the end of a 46-hr initial test period the well made 2.6 MMscfd at 2,702 psi flowing wellhead pressure.

Longer-term production will be required for clean up, because about 14% propane remains in the produced gas, and to more accurately project the well’s long-term performance. Corridor estimated that the well’s initial production capacity will be 9-10 MMscfd at the 500 psi McCully gathering system line pressure.

Three fracs were separately propagated in the L-38 well, including an initial frac and refrac of the lower “E” sand and one frac in the upper “E” sand. The lower “E” sand flowed at a disappointing rate of 400 Mcfd at 20 psi after 256 hr of flow time.

Analysis of recovered fluids indicates that acid used to spearhead the frac may have chemically reacted with the propane gelling agent. A bridge plug was set below the upper “E” sand to segregate the lower zone for future production and to ensure the upper “E” sand completion was not compromised by contaminated fluids from the lower interval.

The upper “E” sand was successfully fractured without using an acid spear. At the end of a 79-hr initial test period, the rate was 2.5 MMscfd at 3,536 psi with 11% propane in the produced gas. Corridor estimates the initial production capacity at 12-13 MMscfd.

The two wells are shut-in for a pressure buildup and to run production tubing. Each has the capacity to add greatly to the field’s production, but Corridor is considering restricting output until market conditions improve.

Corridor also connected the I-47 wells at the rate of 450 Mcfd and is starting to rework several McCully wells to improve production rates.